What are the rules for adding and subtracting rational numbers?

What are the rules for adding and subtracting rational numbers?

Rules for Adding and Subtracting Rational Numbers

• When adding rational numbers with the same sign, add their absolute values.
• To add rational numbers with different signs, subtract the lesser absolute value from the greater absolute value.
• To subtract a rational number, add its additive inverse.

Will you always get a positive sum when you add positive and negative rational numbers?

Rule: The sum of any integer and its opposite is equal to zero. Summary: Adding two positive integers always yields a positive sum; adding two negative integers always yields a negative sum. To find the sum of a positive and a negative integer, take the absolute value of each integer and then subtract these values.

How do you add rational numbers with different denominators?

There are a few steps to follow when you add or subtract rational expressions with unlike denominators.

1. To add or subtract rational expressions with unlike denominators, first find the LCM of the denominator.
2. Write each expression using the LCD.
3. Add or subtract the numerators.
4. Simplify as needed.

What are rules for rational numbers?

A rational number is any number that satisfies the following three criteria:

• It can be expressed in the form of a simple fraction with a numerator (p) divided by a (/) a denominator (q).
• Both the numerator and the denominator must be regular integers themselves.
• The denominator (q) cannot be zero.

Do 2 negative numbers make a positive?

When you have two negative signs, one turns over, and they add together to make a positive. If you have a positive and a negative, there is one dash left over, and the answer is negative.

What are the rules of negative and positive numbers?

Rules for Positive and Negative Numbers

• A positive number has a value greater than zero.
• A negative number has a value less than zero.
• The sum of a positive number and its equal negative number is zero.
• Zero is neither a positive nor negative number.

Is the sum of two negative numbers negative?

The sum of two negative numbers is always negative, hence, this is the right choice. As for the other choices: The product or quotient of two negative numbers is always positive.